Pak fast bowler Irfan still awaiting NOC from PCB to play for Kolkata in IPL

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan fast bowler, Mohammad Irfan, has been waiting for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), to finalize a 75,000 dollar deal with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchisee Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).All the formalities of the deal with Kolkata Knight Riders have been finalised, but now I require a NOC from the (Pakistan) board to finalise the deal,” The News quoted Irfan, who is in England as part of Pakistan’s squad for ODI series, as saying.

Irfan, who entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, would only strengthen his case by applying for an NOC, should new regulations allow cricketers from Pakistan to participate in the mega event.

“I don’t know about the past,” Irfan said. “But I am following a proper procedure to secure the deal,” he said.

Interestingly, Irfan’s MoU contains a clause under which he stands to get 10,000 dollars from KKK as compensation, if the stalemate around Pakistan’s involvement in the IPL continued.

KKR was impressed with Irfan’s performances in Sri Lanka and Kolkata’s bowling consultant- Wasim Akram- recommended the fast bowler to the franchise.

“I’m very happy to have such a huge opportunity, and playing in the IPL is without doubt a great opportunity to do something big on the international stage,” said Irfan, who is nearly seven feet in height, and counted amongst the tallest cricketers in the world.

Irfan also expressed hope that other Pakistan players would be seen in action in the fourth edition of the IPL series.

In 2009, no player from Pakistan was part of the IPL auction, but it was their absence from the 2010 auction that appeared more contentious and troubled, as the cricketers had been cleared to be part of the auction pool but no franchise bid for any of them, ostensibly concerned about player’s availability because of strained ties between the governments of India and Pakistan. (ANI)